Original subtitles

Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at Viki

The Story of Ming Lan

Episode 4

When you're more recovered, I will come to bring you back.

Your aunt's family lives poorly but we can afford to feed you.

With your mother's care,

we were able to get two mu plots of fields and a reservoir.

It's better than this dark and dim courtyard.

At least there's food to eat and air to breathe.

Your main mother and your concubine mother, (T/N Big Madam and Mistress Lin)

your siblings, they are all so tough.

You are just a tender little girl.

How can you live here?

Aunt, don't mention these words again.

Alright, I won't mention it.

You finished your medicine. Here.

Suck on a Liuqiu candy.

I want to see your Big Madam.

How fortunate to have Big Madam's fond care

to arrange such a great funeral for my older sister.

In my heart, I am so grateful.

Just that...

I have a foolish thought that I'm here to beg your approval for.

What approval or not? It's just vain courtesies.

I cherished her.

I only hope her path in the afterlife is smoother.

It's not for my big sister. It's for Ming'er.

Sixth Daughter?

She was traumatized and she's been sick for days.

Every day she's half-dazed.

I am thinking of bringing her to the countryside to nurture her illness.

Miss Wei, if you ache for her, just stay with us a few extra days.

When Sixth Miss sees you, she might get into a better mood and recover.

Indeed. Indeed.

My pitiful older sister.

She died so young,

with just one offspring left behind.

If we can't preserve her either,

how can I meet my sister in the afterlife in the future?

My pitiful sister.

Sister Wei, don't be sorrowful.

Go fetch the Master.

Go.

Miss Wei, if there's any trouble, you ought to say it so we can discuss it together.

It's just a matter of a few silver (taels), so don't exhaust the Sixth Miss.

Yes.

This nanny's mouth...

how prickly.

She keeps speaking

as though I came to strike the autumn breeze! (T/N take advantage)

The Ming girl is a Sheng by name.

We'll take her back to raise her for a few days, and what would we seek after?

Why are you stuffing my mouth with silver taels and coins?

You're just belittling me.

My sister above will be so sad.

Have some tea.

Miss Wei is here.

Greetings to the Lord Magistrate.

Have a seat.

Miss Wei cherishes Ming'er. We all know this.

But to take her back home won't really suit.

The Magistrate is sage. Our family was originally a literate one too.

Big Sister studied with my father since she was little.

She understood teachings of the books and the ways.

She's not from a dinged-up family.

If it hadn't been my late father dying so young

with seven or eight mouths waiting to eat,

- my big sister was so ill-fated! - Your family is so well-mannered.

How can anyone not know how gentlemanly your father was.

But my family is living affluently.

Every child has food to eat.

If our family comes to a point we can't afford to feed her,

we'll come and beg you and that's not too late.

My sister suddenly passed away.

I heard it was because the baby was too big and couldn't be born.

The baby died and we also feel--

Then it means...

that my sister, you can say she died for Sheng family.

You can't say that though.

Since the old days, when a woman gives birth, she steps a foot into the gate of hell.

Who knows what the result is.

How coincidental.

I also heard at the time that Big Madam and the Lord Magistrate were not home either.

Only the concubine managing things,

having my Ming'er, an eight-year-old baby, running to the streets to hire a physician.

Where did you hear such a thing, Miss Wei?

I am a foolish person. I thought

the Magistrate is getting promoted and he needs to go to the capital.

Big Madam must have so much to look after.

If I take her with me, I am easing your burden too.

Who knew though that that nanny there,

she'd actually suspect that I'm trying to strike an autumn breeze! (T/N take advantage)

Which nanny?

Just an illiterate fool,

speaking such nonsense out of nowhere.

Yes, yes.

Miss Wei, you must not care to nitpick with that fool.

We will hire the best physician for Ming'er, to board here.

And take her pulse day and night, with seven or eight maidservants surrounding her.

I will look after her personally and you can be at complete ease.

As long as Ming'er is well taken care of,

even if I die,

I am content.

That Miss Wei, how come she's not mentioning the matter about Sixth Miss anymore?

Who knows.

I guess it's because Sixth Miss's medicine costs are high.

Old Madam is back.

[ Sheng Manor ]

Was your health well on the mountain, Mother?

Was your dinner tonight fragrant to you, Mother?

Master, I brought you a bowl of pear soup too.

Thank you, Nanny Fang.

Mother. It's all your son's fault.

Please scold me.

I don't dare to scold you.

Who knows if you're cursing me in your belly.

I don't know where you got the news

to have you rush back to face a full load of cases.

I don't dare. I am guilty.

Do you remember what I said this to you?

How did your older brother die so young?

I remember.

My only son,

just dying in that whore's hands!

- Mother. - Now your son.

Your son!

Exactly the same way, he was sent to die!

Mother. It's all my fault. Your son is useless.

You're very useful.

You're too useful!

If you were useless, you would go along with custom,

and let the legal wife be the priority and let the main wife rule!

You wouldn't pamper your concubine to defame the wife and cause the house to be in havoc!

I know.

Your real mother, Mistress Chun, it wasn't easy for her to raise you.

Though I was the main wife,

I had a hard time preserving myself back then and I failed to protect you boys.

Hence, you are so fearful that Lin Qinshuang and the children will experience the pain you suffered then.

So you give her fields and you give her stores. All to a concubine.

Your Big Madam is tolerating this and losing face. (T/N people are mocking her)

Mother is compassionate toward me and every word you say is what's in my heart.

Mother. Big Madam has an explosive temper.

I am scared of her. That's why...

Rise. Drink some pear soup.

There's an order to all things.

You're worried about your main wife's temper, but you should have a way.

Coax her, or persuade her, or scare her.

You should always do it by order.

but how did you handle this?

Everyone in the house is supposed to have their own duty.

Since you pampered the concubine and languished in your treatment of your main wife,

then respect and order and main and concubine, orders to all were not distinguished!

Those wicked servants! They saw that Qinshuang was inexperienced,

that she doesn't know how to manage the house.

So they gather together all the days to play.

I beat them harshly and sold them off!

What I mean by this

it's fine if you really don't understand,

and it's fine if you just don't want to accept it.

I don't care anymore.

But two lives!

There's some words that I have to say even if I offend you.

Whatever you say, Mother, your son will follow suit.

This is all your Mistress Lin's chores.

She managed the chores this way and it shows she's not capable!

In this household, it's you, Mother,

who can really manage well.

Don't try to stick me with that either.

At this age, just recovering from an illness too.

How do I have the mindset to manage the house?

Just let me live for a few more years.

Your main wife sent off Mistress Wei with so much respect and dignity,

and extinguished the Wei family's anger.

Your main wife did well!

If Mother says that she's good, then of course she's good.

I know...

that she speaks with prickly words and you find them unsavory.

But think about it carefully.

She was the youngest child of the main wife from the Wang House, growing up with much pampering and care.

But due to your mismanaging of the house

and pampering the concubine to dishonor the main wife, all of Yangzhou officials have been laughing at her for years.

She has endured until today and surely she's full of anger.

Go tell her

that regarding Sixth Daughter, we don't need her to toil to watch over her,

just let me handle it.

Go ahead. I should be resting.

Minglan is fine with Hualan.

And she's sick. We don't want her to pass her illness to you.

Mother, if you like raising children

then raise Molan. She's very filial, I hear.

Your Lin Qinshaung watched Mistress Wei die

and I disregard the orphaned daughter?

To bring that Lin Qinshuang's daughter to me to raise instead?

How great is that!

Is there another place on earth that you get rewarded and promoted when you commit an offense?

Your son. I was just thinking Molan is gentle and clever.

You wouldn't be too tired from it.

Do you think if a person from the Wei Family comes

it's really only for the sake of asking the Sixth Daughter back?

She just speaks in circles!

She tells you if someone is watching over Sixth Daughter well, then all is well,

or else... we must be careful?

That... Hualan is keeping Minglan and living in the main wife's courtyard.

How is that not good care?

You, you!

These wicked servants. They lived in the manor for years and know everything.

They could be taken to Bianjing with us and dispersed there where no one knows the story.

But you just had to choose now to beat and sell them!

You piled up grudges and first with your concubine dead, next with your servants sold off,

who wouldn't guess it's peculiar?

What if someone is jealous of your promotion,

and drags them to testify against you in a petition?

You still think you can get promoted smoothly and go to Bianjing?

What a mess. I was too reckless indeed.

What Mother said is correct.

I was shallow. May you teach me more.

"How thou loveth thy child is how thou should honor how others loveth theirs." (T/N Classical language, Mencius)

This book, Magistrate, you might as well read it carefully again.

[ Mencius ]

Yes.

Take a good look at it.

Tomorrow is the burial.

I hear you bought a very good coffin for her.

Sister Wei had a tough life.

She only had a few years of leisure days in our home.

She's gone now,

so I want her to go more at ease.

When she reaches the other world, she can enjoy some ease.

Since also...

since if it weren't for us going to my maiden home to bid farewell,

if it hadn't been both of us gone,

then the servants would've been better managed

and this wretched scene wouldn't have played out.

Sister Wei is too pitiful.

I have nothing to say then.

If we dig deeper, it's my fault because I got promoted.

If it's not for us moving to Bianjing,

then we wouldn't have gone to your family home in Runzhou to bid farewell.

It's due to her lack of luck.

I will be honest. Your temper is shabby.

Look how petty you are.

Your temper is indeed not good!

However, you are the most kind-hearted.

Look at how you arranged Mistress Wei's funeral.

You can see it.

You are so kind.

How scalding!

I think you have already worked hard,

but let's have you manage the house now.

Why do you mention this suddenly?

Qinshuang's got such a gentle temperament.

She can't be firm enough.

Those servants aren't scared of her and she can't manage them well.

Normally, if things go well, you don't think of me.

But when things are tiring, you come to me.

You are my proper wife that I begged to wed with betrothals and matchmaking.

Other than you, who can I depend on with ease?

Right?

[ Long-Term Inn ]

[ Wei Clanswoman of Sheng House of Yangzhou ]

Mother. Mother.

I heard from Big Madam

that Master hasn't gone to Mistress Lin's all these days.

Mistress Lin cried asking to see the Master, but she didn't get to.

This time, I think there's hope.

Not so fast.

Pour some cold water into a hot pool,

it's not something that can cool so easily.

Mother.

Pitiful child.

She didn't even get to see her the final time. (T/N At the funeral)

The path is still has a long ways to go.

We just trot through it slowly.

May you announce to Master and Madam that I'm delivering cherry cakes.

Miss, just our thought.

Hey, you!

I eat the Madam's food and watch the Madam's doors.

I already said Master and Madam have retired, and it means they have retired!

I learned this from Mother Liu. Did I do well?

- Mother. - Mistress!

Mother.

Mother.

Mistress Lin!

Please quiet down.

Big Madam is looking to pick up every fault of ours.

What faults have we done!

Father. Father doesn't want us anymore?

Shut up!

Mo'er. Your father won't abandon us.

Your father must cherish us, or else...

- or else who else can I depend upon? - Mother.

Mother.

Mother.

Mother.

Your studying is of utmost importance. Take care, Young Master.

Don't worry, Nanny. I will come visit you in Yangzhou in a few years.

You raised me since I was little. In a few more years, I'll be bigger.

- I will bring you with me to Dongjing. - Young Master.

Mistress Wei told me to thank you on that day and I forgot.

This, this is for you.

Your great kindness and grace, I shall never forget them.

Don't do that. Don't. It's just my given duty.

Thank you.

♫ Brocade letters delivered to me dismiss me, only suddenly to recall me, not for many years can I see you other than stealthily♫

♫ Last night, gusty winds and rain during my deep slumber did not spoil the wine's lingering effect ♫

♫ When I asked someone, they rolled the blind up and told me that all the crab-apple trees are as before. ♫

♫ Don't you know, don't you know, there must be flourishing leaves and fallen flowers? ♫

♫ Last night, gusty winds and rain during my deep slumber did not spoil the wine's lingering effect ♫

♫ When I asked someone, they rolled the blind up and told me that all the crab-apple trees are as before. ♫

♫ Don't you know, don't you know, ♫

♫ >there must be flourishing leaves and fallen flowers? ♫

♫ Last night, gusty winds and rain during my deep slumber did not spoil the wine's lingering effect ♫

♫ When I asked someone, they rolled the blind up and told me that all the crab-apple trees are as before. ♫

Ming'er is good.

Ming'er is her grandmother's good granddaughter.

Remember this.

As long as I, your grandmother, am by your side, you should fear nothing.

My granddaughter Ming'er

has someone who loves her!

♫ Don't you know? Don't you know? ♫

Let it out. ♫ there must be flourishing leaves... ♫

It'll feel better once you let it out. ♫ and fallen flowers? ♫

"Presiding at court and asking the way.

With love he taught the dark and soiled."

Listen. Do you hear the qin music? (T/N The usually seven-stringed unbridged ancient zither of China)

I do hear it. Mistress Lin is playing the zither.

She's still trying to pretend to be a phoenix. (T/N trying to put on airs, delusions of greatness or higher rank)

She can play it a thousand times and the Magistrate won't go to her room still.

My skills are a million li away from Sixth Daughter's. (T/N idiom - vastly inferior)

I hear Sixth Miss often just sits in Old Madam's room.

Sometimes all day long.

She doesn't cry or whine or talk.

By the way, she's not played touhu for a long time either.

Sixth Miss didn't say a thing even after Molan poked her, she was motionless.

She went back to her room and hid. She's going to turn into a idiot soon.

Stop talking nonsense. You should go back to learning your Thousand Character Classic. (T/N the quote earlier is also from this 6th century CE reading primer)

We are on the boat now.

You can't avoid your father who will check your homework.

If I go and play at Grandmother's place, Father won't dare to go there.

The Magistrate has been at my place for almost six months.

That whore came a few times and she was blocked by you.

I don't see His Lordship saying anything,

so I think he's tired of her.

Once we are in Dongjing, I will find the opportunity to sell her at a far-away place.

If we don't see her again, wouldn't it be more comfortable?

I fear it won't be as good as you think.

Why?

First Miss frequents Old Madam's room to see Sixth Miss and

would often see Molan there as well.

Changfeng likes to go see Young Master Changbai,

I've never seen them so diligent before.

They must be seeking information about Master's whereabouts.

Is there any sound of the zither?

Don't think so.

Bring some puff pastries and cherry cakes to go see His Lordship.

Yes.

Hong Lang, please let me see you. (T/N Lang is "dear" or "darling" or "husband", sweet talk)

Master. You're a magistrate.

Even on the petition court you let them explain a few words!

I heard you were sick.

I can see that you have good vitality.

It's late in the night, and you still have the energy to create a ruckus here.

Big Madam, please don't be angry.

Please show some mercy, and let me go in to ask the Lord a few questions.

If I can't say anything, I will knock my head and die here!

You don't need to use this tactic to die here.

I won't be tricked by you.

If you want to die, jump off the boat to make it a quick death.

Lord, I waited on you for many years and raised two children for you!

If you want me to die today, I will jump off immediately!

Even if I'm dead, you should let me become an innocent ghost!

You servants, are you still alive? Drag her away now!

Why don't you allow me to speak?

Are you afraid that I will reveal everything?

What dirty water are you throwing at me?

Quit trying to cause a ruckus here! What am I scared of?

Aren't you going to drag her away?

Lord. Lord.

I have suffered a lot.

I can't be falsely accused by others without any cause or reason.

Even if I die, I must become an innocent ghost.

I planned to leave some dignity for you.

If you insist on speaking, make it clear then.

Do you mean that Mistress Wei killed herself?

The people in Sister Wei's room had untidy hands and feet, and Master saw to it himself to dismiss them.

Your Lordship dismissed them yourself.

I sent my own maidservants to go serve her.

Tonics and food, clothing and wares. I chose all the best.

Everything was the best.

Just the astragalus, jujube and angelica alone were such an expense.

The bird's nests were also from my personal account.

Each and every single one.

Lord, you could see this when you were in the house.

Even if I were to meet Sister Wei who's in the underworld,

I will still dare to testify to her face.

What a sharp tongue you have.

If I die by being falsely accused,

I won't be able to talk.

As long as I still have one last breath,

I will still want to fight for my innocence.

Two whole lives died in your hands!

The great midwife and great maidservant you got killed her!

Be my sage lord. I already found the midwife way in advance

and gave good instructions to her.

They said that she was the best.

I even gave her five taels silver to thank her

and asked her to come immediately on the day of the delivery.

But when she was here, Sister Wei's baby was too big and she couldn't give birth.

She lost courage and ran away.

I pushed the maid to hire another midwife,

but who knew there weren't any in the vicinity.

I would have been to the capital before I could find one.

I am someone without dignity and without resolute measure,

but I never had any ulterior motive, Lord!

This is strange.

You went outside to hire someone else,

why then did that Sixth Miss run out to do that too?

My lord. You and Madam had both left the house.

Old Madam went to pay respects to the Daoist spiritual master.

The servants wanted to take it easy.

They were gambling, drinking and didn't serve me.

I joined the family only for a few years,

but those old women have been here for many years.

Though I manage the house, I couldn't set rules and couldn't control them.

The servants refused to do anything.

Lord, don't even say that I'm useless.

Even Sixth Miss personally called for Momo Zhao and the rest,

she wasn't be able to get anyone.

Master, Madam, you are my benefactors.

Heaven and earth, the spirits in heaven, all can see

that I'm telling the truth.

If I harmed Sister Wei,

then let me be clubbed to death and never ascend to the world beyond!

You should be a story-teller with that crafty mouth of yours.

In the way you've put it

not only you had no fault in the matter of Wei family losing two lives, you actually contributed a merit!

No, I was wrong.

I committed a big mistake.

I shouldn't... I shouldn't have been such a lenient housekeeper.

At the most crucial moment, I couldn't command the servants into action.

And I shouldn't have just stood and watched how I couldn't dispatch these wicked servants.

I should have personally gone to request the physician

and midwife.

I made a big mistake.

But... but saying that I had the intention to harm Sister Wei,

I will die without closing my eyes.

Above everything, I'm also from a good family.

A human's life is precious. I know that too.

You shrew! You are cunning and persuasive!

Madam, you say that I'm cunning and persuasive,

but I've always fully devoted my whole heart without regard to anything else!

Or else, I wouldn't have just tossed the chance to be the main wife with some others,

and come here to be His Lordship's concubine!

Others laugh at me, mock and belittle me,

I know about this.

I have always been infatuated with you.

I can't control my deep love.

Jiejie, I know you don't like me. (T/N Elder Sister, in this case presuming toward the superior - from "Madam")

I dare not defend myself.

Jiejie, just regard me as a slave and give me a small room to huddle in.

As long as I see the Lord,

even if a thousand people curse me and ten thousand spit at me,

I will have no regrets!

Jiejie, please take pity on me.

Regard me as a toy and let me serve you, Elder Sister!

Elder Sister, I bow to you. I'm begging you, Elder sister!

- I will bow to you. I will bow to you. - Shuang'er. Shuang'er!

Get up if you have anything to say. What is this?

Jiejie, I'm begging you. Take pity on me!

You can beat or scold me. Don't regard me as an evil woman!

Get up, get up!

No! Elder Sister...

Elder Sister, I'm begging you, Elder Sister!

In the future, if there isn't anything I don't understand,

you can scold or beat me.

I will obey you.

I'm really infatuated with the Lord.

Jiejie, I'm begging you. Please be kind to me.

Elder Sister. Please allow me an inch of a place to stay.

I'm begging you, Elder Sister.

Shuang'er. Shuang'er! Shuang'er. What's wrong!

Shuang'er, Someone, come in now.

Come in now. Shuang'er!

Mistress!

Call for the physician.

Get the physician now!

She... she is an evil demon.

She is an evil demon.

This evil demon.

It's fortunate that you met me now that I can support you.

If it was when I was young,

at that time Sheng House was kept hostage by that whore.

My mother and I could only exist in a crack.

Before I was seven years old, not an inch of my skin was intact.

Luckily, Old Madam secretly protected me.

If not, I wouldn't be alive today.

Darling Hong...

You and your mother have suffered.

It's a pity that she passed away too soon.

You have never enjoyed any blessings.

Hence, I will never let you and your child

live like my mother and I.

- Darling Hong. - Your body is weak. Lie down now.

You are doing nothing and just watching. Don't lose anything.

Where is Bai'er?

Bai'er, how are you? - Hello.

Once you have settled down in your home, come and find me. I will take you on a tour of the city.

Come.

Second Brother!

- I'm taking my leave then. - Alright.

Tingwei has grown taller and is so heavy too.

Mother, why did you personally come?

You... left a letter and ran to Yangzhou without saying anything.

Your father was angry for several months.

Since he's angry, I won't go home then,

or a good beating awaits me. He might even bind me.

Mother, I will be home in two days.

Where will you be staying then?

With that child earlier? But he's only just moved to Bianjing.

Bianjing has so many great places, so surely I can go somewhere.

I take my leave.

Tingye.

Third Brother, slow down.

Second Brother, come back with me and help me dig up the bird's nest!

I will fly the kite with you when I'm back.

Slow down.

A few days ago, Jiang-Zhe and Liang-Hu submitted reports. (T/N Abbreviations for four provinces: Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hubei and Hunan)

They stated in sporadic places, there are signs of a locust disaster.

If there is truly a locust epidemic,

then in that case there will be a thousand li of bare earth and not a single grain will be reaped.

Down there. Anyone been around the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions?

I, General Secretary Sheng,

having been newly-appointed to high minister,

I just arrived by water at the capital from Yangzhou yesterday.

I know you. You write well.

Speak.

I have seen the locust plague a few times.

As long it's when they're still young,

if you keep around a few extra ducks and herons to let them eat them up,

then it's not much of a threat.

Your Majesty, I have another urgent matter to report.

Today we only discuss the locust matter.

You may not deliberately complicate this matter.

By nature, all living things have their branches and roots,

if for no other reason, to add to the number of those able to succeed them.

If it's about that,

you can come and report to me in the study.

Your Majesty.

Yesterday, I made a plea to seek Your Majesty's attendance at the study.

Your Majesty and I discussed the old times.

On the day before yesterday, Your Majesty again asked me to step into the study to discuss a painting.

I am just too anxious, and I cannot pay heed to dignity now!

It takes ten years to grow a tree and a hundred years to train a man. (T/N idiom - it takes time to set up a good education program)

The best action is for Your Majesty to immediately bring in and adopt a child from the Imperial clan!

Are you pressuring me to abdicate?

Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at Viki

♫ One morning, a flower opened and approached a willow tree, beautifully fragrant and mistaking him for her lord ♫

♫ Even if drinking in water in the morning, red clouds have half a day of sunshine, the wind and rain do not affect them completely ♫

♫ In the palace, you are constantly brave and growing thin, from on high, your cold tears of distress flow ♫

♫ Brocade letters delivered to me dismiss me, only suddenly to recall me, not for many years can I see you other than stealthily♫

♫ Last night, gusty winds and rain during my deep slumber did not spoil the wine's lingering effect ♫

♫ When I asked someone, they rolled the blind up and told me that all the crab-apple trees are as before. ♫

♫ Don't you know, don't you know, there must be flourishing leaves and fallen flowers? ♫

♫ Last night, gusty winds and rain during my deep slumber did not spoil the wine's lingering effect ♫

♫ When I asked someone, they rolled the blind up and told me that all the crab-apple trees are as before. ♫

♫ Don't you know, don't you know, there must be flourishing leaves and fallen flowers? ♫

♫ Don't you know, don't you know, there must be flourishing leaves and fallen flowers? ♫